While the legislative session will not
get into full swing until February, momentum is already building
for Senate Bill 1, also known “Nick’s Law.” The
legislation would require health insurance companies to cover diagnosis
and treatment of autism in children.

“I continue to hear from more families and child advocates
who know this bill is the right thing to do,” said Senator
Jay Paul Gumm,
author of Nick’s Law. “Since the legislation was first
introduced, we’ve seen a growing number of newspapers throughout
the state voice editorial support for the measure.”

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United
States, affecting one in every 150 children. Recent editorials,
news reports and scholarly studies on the issue have pointed to
the financial devastation caused to families after their insurance
companies have refused to cover autism diagnosis and treatment.

To date, newspapers in Enid, Claremore, Edmond and Tulsa are among
those that have published editorials expressing support for Nick’s
Law. This week, even The Daily Oklahoman – which has been
critical of Nick’s Law – wrote in an editorial that
the “bill will be hard to stop.”

In 2008, the measure repeatedly passed the Oklahoma Senate with
bipartisan support. Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, said there was
bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, as well. A small
group of House Republicans, led by now-former Rep. Ron Peterson
worked to prevent even a vote on the bill.

“I’ve said it repeatedly: Autism strikes families from
all walks of life, families from both political parties,”
he said. “Conservative Republican lawmakers in other states
have written, fought for and passed similar legislation. High-profile
Republican governors already being talked about as presidential
candidates have signed into law similar legislation.”

Gumm said Oklahoma’s families do not care who gets credit
for passing Nick’s Law, they just want to see it become Oklahoma’s
law. “I will be the first in line to give all the credit in
the world to lawmakers of either party who will stand up for these
families who are suffering,” he said.

In a national Associated Press story by medical writer Lindsey
Tanner, a study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics
magazine was detailed. The study documents the challenges faced
by families with autistic children.

According to the story, these families endure health care costs
that put “unprecedented financial strain” on families.
Further, the report notes that when compared with parents of children
with chronic health care needs other than autism, those with autistic
children are three times more likely to have quit jobs or cut back
on work hours to care for their children.

These families pay more for their children’s health care,
spend more time providing or arranging for that care and are more
likely to have financial challenges. Lost wages and high health
care costs compound the struggles of these families, often leading
to divorce.

“Every shred of evidence points to the fact that bills like
Nick’s Law do make a huge difference in the lives of these
children and their families and are unquestionably ‘pro-family,’”
Gumm said. “This bill is not a complete solution – no
one has claimed it is – but it is the foundation on which
we can build while ultimately saving taxpayers’ dollars.

“To do nothing, is to condemn these children to a lifetime
locked behind the walls of autism. To do nothing condemns these
parents to a lifetime of unprecedented financial struggles. To do
nothing condemns taxpayers to eventually picking up the tab. To
do nothing is unconscionable.”For more information contact:
Senator Gumm's Office: (405) 521-5586